The 3-minute Pitch

From left to right, Michael Yaeger, Trenton Gilstrap and Kinsley Tate

Four College of Engineering and Technology students had their chance to pitch their research to non-research audiences recently.

Biomedical Engineering graduate students Michael Yaeger of Holly Springs, North Carolina, Trenton Gilstrap of Brandywine, Maryland and Kinsley Tate of Wilmington, North Carolina participated in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition. This research communication challenge asked masters and predoctoral students to present a compelling oration on their research in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience.

Yaeger’s research looked at what happens when good cholesterol becomes dysfunctional. Gilstrap’s research hopes to create a model that simulates a jump landing without the need of a human subject. And, Tate’s research, which was one of the six finalists, focused on what influences autism pathology. All three research projects are still ongoing.

Noah Sonne

Senior engineering student Noah Sonne from Davis, California, participated in the Capture 180 Research Challenge Competition, which took place before the 3MT competition. Following the same structure, Sonne pitched his undergrad research that looks at the use of diving-board type structures to detect the presence of target substances, such as airborne pollutants, anthrax spores and biomolecules. This research is part of the National Science Foundation-funded BME-SIM Research Experience for Undergraduates Program at ECU.